BELIEVE NOTHING UNTIL IT IS OFFICIALLY DENIED: Claud Cockburn and the Rise of Guerrilla Journalism
By Patrick Cockburn
One century ago, Claud Cockburn found himself in his third year at the esteemed halls of Oxford University. Little did anyone know that he would evolve into a spirited and audacious left-wing journalist, often seen as a persistent gadfly irritating the English political establishment. At this stage of his life, however, he was simply the most captivating individual many had ever encountered. Friends and family vied for the chance to introduce him to various well-known conversationalists, confident that his charm could engage even the most tedious of individuals.
During his time at Oxford, Cockburn’s social circle was marked by hard-drinking camaraderie, including notable figures such as his cousin Evelyn Waugh and the celebrated Graham Greene. Together, they embarked on intrepid journeys at the tender age of 19. Claud Cockburn (pronounced KO-burn) took on the role of editor for Oxford’s student publication, The Isis. He was a studious young man with aspirations of success. After completing his education, he meandered into the world of journalism, setting the stage for his remarkable career.
Cockburn quickly gained recognition as a star correspondent for The Times of London in Berlin, where he began to sense the ominous shift towards fascism in Germany. Later, he made his way to America, arriving just in time to observe the catastrophic stock market crash of 1929 and the early tumultuous years of the Great Depression. His experiences during these critical periods shaped his antifascist and anticapitalist sentiments, which gradually veered leftward, eventually leading him to embrace the Communist Party.
When he ultimately resigned from The Times, the editor responded with a note that reflected the surprise of his departure: “Rather bad luck that you of all people should have gone red on us.”
In his insightful and affectionate new work, “Believe Nothing Until It Is Officially Denied: Claud Cockburn and the Rise of Guerrilla Journalism,” Patrick Cockburn, his son and fellow journalist, captures the essence of his father’s legacy. He illustrates how Claud Cockburn exemplified the power of a determined and resourceful journalist to challenge authority, even when equipped with minimal resources. The pivotal moment in his career came in 1933 when he established a weekly newsletter in London titled The Week. As its sole writer, he took on the mammoth task of producing it, using a rudimentary mimeograph machine to disseminate his thoughts and critiques.
